Kompas.com and National Geographic (Indonesia) recent revealed the results of a survey among international visitors listing their comments and criticisms surrounding their holiday on Bali.

Speaking at an open forum held at the Bajra Sandhi Field on February 8, 2015, the governor shared the top topics of complaint listed by foreign tourists.

Bali Traffic Congestion

According to the Governor, the top five areas of complaint named in the survey were:
– Trash and rubbish
– Traffic jams
– Long immigration lines at the airport
– Customs service at the airport
– Dishonest money changers

Ngurah Rai Queues

The governor promised to undertake steps to address the areas identified as the main sources of complaint from Bali’s international visitors.

In closing, he commented to the large audience, “Let’s fix these things, because my brothers and sisters, we live from tourism. Yes, we must make Bali green. Bali must become an organic island free of chemicals – no more chemicals anyone! Bali is fertile and must become evergreen.”

A 42-year-old man from Melbourne, Australia, who was found dead in a budget Balinese hotel room, was an internationally known public speaker who travelled the globe as a lecturer on personal success, property investment, and wealth accumulation. The hotel in which he was staying offers rooms starting from US$27 per night.

As reported by NusaBali and DenPost, the body was discovered face down in a room at the Fave Hotel on Jalan Camplung Tanduk, Seminyak, wearing only a t-shirt and boxer shorts. A bell boy had been sent to see if the room was still occupied.

Prescription drugs and an empty liquor bottle were found near the body. Reports suggest that the Australian was helped to his room the previous evening in an intoxicated state.

Police believe the Australian may have died of a drug and alcohol overdose.[sic]

Unknown to many users of Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport is the fact that a baggage storage service is in operation. This service is particularly helpful for people who want to store clothing or extra bags while exploring Bali and beyond.

The luggage storage service is located on the ground floor of the airport in the left-hand corner after you enter the terminal. Wrapping, strapping and locker services are available.

Two separate pricing structures are in place with international passengers paying Rp. 50,000 (US$4.20) per locker per day and domestic passengers Rp. 25,000 (US$2.10) per locker per day.

The New Straits Times and Australia’s Herald-Sun report that Indonesian AirAsia X is facing an official Australian government probe for practices and procedures surrounding the last-minute cancellation of a flight service scheduled to commence on December 26, 2014 between Melbourne and Bali.

Australian travellers eagerly scooped up attractively priced tickets offered on Indonesia AirAsia X over the Christmas and New Year period with the first flight scheduled to leave on Boxing Day of last year.

Anyone who has been snorkelling or diving off the north-west coast of Bali knows Menjangan Island. The State News Agency Antara reports that the Regent of Buleleng, Putu Agus Suradnyana, has firmly rejected plans by PT Pulau Tirta Properindo to build a villa resort complex on Menjangan Island.

According to the Regent, the plans for the villa complex violate restrictions against building in sacred zones reserved for temples. In addition to violating rules forbidding construction in sacred area, the villa complex is also being built too close to the high water mark. [Read more…]

Indonesia’s very proactive Transportation Minister has outlawed the sale of airline tickets at airports across the country.

Since assuming office as Indonesia’s new Minister of Transportation, Ignasius Jonan has also enforced rules on the use of illegal flight slots, a contentious issue since the crash of Air Asia Flight QZ8501, established minimum fare levels for low cost airlines, is requiring medical checks on pilots prior to each flight, stipulated that airport service charges must be included in ticket prices, and outlawed gypsy taxis from operating at Indonesia’s airports. [Read more…]

Indonesia’s Minister of Trade, Rachmat Gobel, has announced a new policy that will outlaw the sale of “Class A” alcoholic drinks containing 5% or less alcohol at minimarkets and convenience stores across Indonesia.

Minimarkets and convenience stores have until April 16, 2015 to remove all drinks containing alcohol from their shelves. After that date the public will have to purchase beer from hypermarkets or supermarkets.

Dr. Ketut Suarjaya, chief of the Bali Provincial Health Service told the State News Agency Antara that the number of new cases of HIV/AIDS discovered on Bali each month numbers between 100 and 110.

Based on data collected by the Bali Health Department through the end of November 2014 there are now 10,524 HIV/AID sufferers on Bali.

Of that total, 5,639 are calculated to be infected with HIV, and the remaining 4,885 afflicted with AIDS. Expressing his concern that the number of HIV/AIDS sufferers may be even more, Suarjaya added, “These are just the cases reported and there are perhaps many more unreported.” [Read more…]

Two Australian men flouted local law and custom when they sought roadside relief and decided to urinate near a religious shrine and inside a local shop in the Canggu area of Bali.

A fight ensued that saw the shopkeeper have his glasses and wristwatch broken, and suffer a head contusion. The Australian also suffered bruises and cuts requiring twelve stitches from a local medical centre after being set upon by a group of angry locals. [Read more…]